http://www.reddit.com/r/wicked_edge/, usually shortened to /r/wicked_edge (or W_E, or other similar variants) is the primary subreddit for traditional wetshaving on Reddit. Traditional wetshaving is a method of shaving using a shaving brush with soap or cream to build and apply lather, and using a straight razor or a single- or double-edge safety razor to shave.

Wicked_edge commandments

Thou shall not be a dick*

Thou shall not be a spammer**

Thou shall not be a recruiter for other forums***

* Dick-like behaviour should be straightforward. Personal attacks, trolling, harassing and posting dirty laundry are grounds for banning. This includes "Don't do business with username - he didn't pay/send" stuff. Solve it yourselves - it's not appropriate in here.

** Spamming is defined as not being a contributor regularly and only putting up links to a store/product/whatever. If you are enthusiastic about a new product and want to share you aren't going to get flak.

*** You can recommend other forums (sharpologist, B&B, SRP) to others, but don't let it be your only answer to a question. For example "You need to go to {REDACTED} and ask your question to get a good answer" as a response to a post is not cool.

The straight razor is a blade with a tang that has scales, or handle. There are different amounts of hollow grind on the sides of the blade that make the blade lighter and easier to sharpen, but the hollow grind is symmetric.

The Kamisori, or Japanese straight razor, is an assymetric shape, with the hollow grind on one side of the razor. The handle can be wrapped in bamboo, but isn't always.

The Shavette looks similar to a straight razor, but has a replaceable blade. There are two major styles, the type that uses a DE blade split in half, or the Feather AC (Artist Club) style that uses a thicker, longer single edge blade.

Safety Razors either use the DE (dual edge) blade that began with Gillette Safety Razors in 1904, or SE blades, which historically were either Schick Injector razors or GEM razors. Now there are many manufacturers making single edge razors, either using older blade types (OneBlade with the Feather Valet compatible blade) or using the shavette Feather AC blade type as a safety razor.

Gallery of Basic Razor Types

Common Beginner Questions on W_E

First and foremost, almost any question you have is answered in our own Leisureguy's Guide to Gourmet Shaving. Check out the reviews and see if you think it will be helpful. Many find having a physical copy on hand not only serves as an excellent reference, but inspires them to keep shaving.

Can I use canned aerosol foam or gel to shave with a safety or straight razor?

Short Answer: Yes, you can. However, the drying effect of the propellants combined with the petroleum based lubricants added to that type of product deny your skin the water that is crucial to a good shave and at the heart of "wet" shaving.

How do I shave?

Short Answer: Use proper prep, make a good lather, keep a proper blade angle, and let the weight of the razor do the cutting. Go with the grain (WTG), re-lather, then across the grain (XTG), and stop! Apply an after shave and be done! Once you get your skill up then you can add against the grain (ATG) passes.

How do I travel by air with a safety razor/blades or a straight razor?

You put it in your checked luggage. (If you''re only taking a carry-on, bring a disposable / cartridge razor, or bring your safety razor (acceptable in the carry-on without the blades) and either mail blades ahead to yourself or purchase them at your destination.)

Shaving cream (in your carry-on) must be in a container of 3.4 oz (100 millilitres) or less. the container must be this size - if the container is bigger than this, it doesn't matter if it is mostly empty.

How often do I change the blade?

Short answer: When you start to feel the blade "tug" your hair, it's time to change.
Alternate short answer: Blades are cheap; change every 1-3 shaves.

However, opinions vary based on how much hair you shave each time, the quality you expect with each shave, and the brand of razor blade. Some people think the second shave of a blade is the best. Here are some of the previous threads on when to change the blade:

To best-assist straight razor problems, please let us know: type of razor, where it was purchased from, and who sharpened it last. Include a picture of the razor if possible. This will help us separate problems with the razor itself from problems with technique.

Long term satisfaction?

Short Answer: Price wise, it depends on who you are. For a lot of people, yes it is cheaper. For others, it's a hobby which deserves a collection. For many, the hobby is still cheaper than the price of cartridges. Some spend more, but are shaving far more often, rather than maintaining a permanent scruff. Most people on W_E enjoy their shaves significantly more after the switch to DE. Overall, there is a trend towards higher satisfaction with a shave after the switch.

Regarding the "opening" and "closing" of pores

Will hot/cold water or (product X) open/close my pores, thereby affecting the quality of my shave or reducing irritation?

Short Answer: This does not happen. Pores are merely openings in your skin to allow substances to be secreted and to facilitate temperature regulation. Any person or product that mentions the opening and/or closing of pores is either misinformed or poorly choosing their words to describe different phenomena. A simple query to your search engine of choice can locate articles citing doctors of dermatology discussing this misconception, such as the one below.

eBay Razors

Be aware that eBay has a mix of people ranging from those who think "A1 condition" and "shave ready" are simple terms to boost the final price, ones who are convinced that the rusted, pitted and broken Gillette is worth $500 because someone told them it was rare and all the way down to the ones who are truly out to rip you off. Somewhere in the mix is a bunch of good gear, but you need to research and make sure that what you get are after. Here is a short list of some things to watch out for.

Cleaning/Polishing

The thing to remember is that less is more. The plating on many vintage razors may be thin, and you don't want to do anything too aggressive that may damage it.

Soak the razor in a liquid dish washing soap-and-water as hot as you can get from the tap solution until the water cools to room temperature.

Use an old toothbrush with the soapy water to go over it, and rinse. If it looks good, stop here.

If you need to clean more, get some Scrubbing Bubbles spray without the bleach. Spray on, let soak for 5 or 10 minutes, and go over it with the toothbrush.

If you feel like you need to disinfect the razor, rinse in in isopropyl alcohol.

You should be very careful using Barbicide, Vinegar, or Alcohol. You do not need to soak the razor in any of these for extended periods of time. Vinegar is an acid and will etch plating and eat zinc. If you use any of these, rinse, and then rinse with water.

If you really must, you can rinse the razor in hydrogen peroxide, followed by a rinse in white vinegar, followed by soap and water to clean off the acid. Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar mixed together form a weak form of paracetic acid, which will sanitze the razor. You do not need to do this frequently.

Use metal polish sparingly. Some people prefer Flitz or MAAS. Be careful. Polish is a light abrasive that makes metal shiny by removing imperfections that stick above the surface. It is possible to polish through thin plating.

Correcting uneven blade gap on DE razors

To be added.

What to do with Used Razorblades?

Recycle them! there is always a proper way to recycle your blades and the only way to know for sure is to contact your local waste management department.

> Sharp metal (other than medical sharps) such as knives or similar sharp
> metal objects, should be wrapped in cardboard (such as a piece of cereal
> box) and secured with tape. Label the package "CAUTION: SHARP" and place
> with other designated metal, glass, plastic recyclables.

Here is Nashville Tennessee's procedure:

> these can go in with the metals at the Convenience Center, just make
> sure the container is sealed up very good.

In Sweden it depends on your local municipal rules, but usually they can be thrown in the trash bin. Remember to seal them carefully with tape so that recycling workers don't get hurt!

In general, contact your municipality/town or their designated recycling company.

Related Reddits

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